Kamwenge health facility improves hygiene, sanitation

PIC: A patient washes her hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet at the health centre. (Credit: Francis Emorut)

HEALTH

KAMWENGE - Biguli Health Centre III in Kamwenge district has improved its hygiene and sanitation measures. Patients and visitors can now wash their hands with soap and clean water after a visit to the toilet.

This follows the installation of handwashing water tanks and a new incinerator for waste disposal.

A drinking water tank has also been set up for health workers and patients, who need the water for taking their medicine as well as for hydration.

"This is going to improve hygiene and sanitation in the health facility and we are happy about the new innovation," Mary Kembaazi, a nurse at the facility, said.

Juliana Kyomuhangi, the assistant commissioner in charge of environmental health in the health ministry, said installing handwashing water tanks and soap soap fits the health sector guidelines of fighting poor hygiene and sanitation.

Cate Nimanya, the country director of Water for People, which had a hand in the project, said when water, sanitation and hygiene conditions are met, the health workers and patients alike can work and live in a clean environment.

When New Vision visited the health facility in the western part of the country, hand washing water tanks and soap were placed in strategic locations - right from the entrance to the waiting room, wards and just outside the pit latrine.

Meanwhile, the Kamwenge district health officer Dr William Mucunguzi handed a new motorcycle - donated by Water for People - to a village health team member to monitor 18 villages that were declared open defecation-free by the health and environment ministries.

John Mpaka, the acting district health officer in charge of environment and sanitation, said the promotion of hygiene and sanitation measures will be rolled out to other health facilities in the district.